SSC
The campaign against Ramachandra (Ramadeva), the Yadava ruler of Devagiri, in 1307-08 was led by:
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Answer: Option C — Malik Kafur
Detailed Solution
The campaign against Ramachandra (Ramadeva), the Yadava ruler of Devagiri, in 1307-08, was led by Malik Kafur, the trusted general of Alauddin Khalji.
Background:
- Devagiri had first been attacked in 1296 by Alauddin Khalji himself, while he was still the governor of Kara under his uncle, the reigning Sultan.
- Ramachandra had then agreed to pay a large annual tribute.
- When Ramachandra stopped paying the tribute, Alauddin sent Malik Kafur to Devagiri.
The campaign of 1307-08:
- Malik Kafur defeated Ramachandra and brought him to Delhi.
- Alauddin treated Ramachandra with honour, gave him the title "Rai Rayan", and restored him to his kingdom as a vassal.
- After this, Ramachandra remained loyal, and helped Malik Kafur in his later campaigns to the south.
About Malik Kafur:
- He was a eunuch slave, captured during the conquest of Gujarat (1299) and bought for a thousand dinars, which is why he was called "Hazar Dinari".
- He rose to become Alauddin's most powerful general and the Naib (deputy).
His campaigns in the south:
- He led campaigns against the Kakatiyas of Warangal (Prataparudra II, 1309-10), the Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra (Ballala III, 1310-11), and the Pandyas of Madurai (1311).
- These campaigns brought enormous wealth (gold, jewels, elephants and horses) to Delhi.
- Amir Khusrau described these campaigns in his work on the Sultan's victories.
After Alauddin's death:
Malik Kafur tried to take power in 1316, but was killed by the royal guards after about a month.
About the Yadavas of Devagiri:
- They ruled the western Deccan (Maharashtra) from the late 12th century.
- Devagiri was later renamed Daulatabad by Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan led the conquest of Gujarat and other campaigns.
- ✗Zafar Khan was a great general who died fighting the Mongols.
Quick tip
Remember: Malik Kafur ("Hazar Dinari") = led the campaign against Ramachandra of Devagiri (1307-08), and against Warangal, Dwarasamudra and Madurai.
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Delhi Sultanate — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Delhi Sultanate, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
The Delhi Sultanate ruled much of northern India from 1206 to 1526 under five dynasties: the Slave (Mamluk), Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi dynasties. This topic covers its rulers, administration, market and revenue reforms, architecture and the foreign invasions of the period. Typical questions cover the founder of each dynasty, Alauddin Khalji's market reforms, Muhammad bin Tughlaq's token currency and transfer of the capital, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq's public works. The First Battle of Panipat (1526), in which Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, ended the Sultanate. Keep the five dynasties in order with their founders. Practise the Delhi Sultanate questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.